An Other Tone For An Other Life

Chapter 10

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I looked up from my files for the first time in what felt like hours and noticed that the time had run faster than I had expected. It was already 6.12pm and today, I was meant to leave at 5.30. But as I arrived late, I decided to stay a little bit longer... Well, I think that's enough.

I did what I had to do before leaving and then locked my office behind me. I said goodbye to everybody on my way out of the building and quickly reached my car.

I know my job isn't hard physically but, my mental was suffering. Especially that the issues that were in my mind weren't only the work ones.

I unlocked my car as I got closer and continued to make a few last steps to finally reach the driver's seat.

"Romina" I heard from behind me. The sound of the voice pronouncing my name from behind me made me jump slightly and I turned around to check out who it could be.

My eyes immediately landed on a familiar face. He was standing behind me, now in front of me, his hands in his jeans pockets and his eyes eying me like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

I couldn't either.

"Stephen?" I asked, even though the answer was obvious.
He smiled "Yeah, that's me" he answered and I gasped, smiling. "Oh my god, it's been a while" I didn't know what to say else. I had no word.

"Yeah, you changed a lot" he said, looking at me from bottom to top. I chuckled "But I'm still Romina" I said and he smiled. "What are you doing here?" he asked then and I chuckled. "I'm CEO of this jewelry company" I said and he frowned.

"You own this?" he asked, pointing at the huge building behind us and I chuckled. "Yes, I do" I answered. "What are YOU doing here?" I asked then, curious.

"Charlie and I were gonna have dinner together and he said he had to drop something to someone who was working here so I waited for him in his car and I saw you" he explained and I looked at the building.

Charlie was probably going to give me back my key.

"Is he inside?" I asked "Yeah, I think" he answered "I wonder if Charlie knew that you were working here..." he added.

Doesn't he know? "I also wonder how he'd react seeing you for the first time in 4 years" Stephen said and I laughed nervously. I didn't know if I could tell Stephen or if Charlie wanted to keep it secret.

"I'm not gonna lie to you, I feel very happy to see you again" he said while my eyes kept on staring at the door of the building behind him. "Oh, yeah me too" I said looking back at him for a second before staring back at the door.

"You know what? You should come around sometimes. Not at the family house but at mine, huh. Because, I don't know if my parents would very happy to see you again..." he said.

What?

I frowned, my attention back on him. Why wouldn't they?

"Wait, what?" I asked "You know, when Charlie broke up with you, we thought it was because both of you wanted it... I'd never thought that it was because you had cheated on Charlie"

WHAT?!

My eyes widened, I stood without any word getting out of my mouth.

"You know, I was angry with you at first but now, four years went by and I feel like it's none of my business" he added. I gasped "My parents, on the other hand, didn't really accept the idea of seomone breaking Charlie's heart and, my mum was shocked by the news. She never thought you were like this" he said.

"Me neither" I answered, realising how good Charlie was at lying. "See? Life is impressive" he said, bringing some humor to the discussion.

"Oh right! You remind me that I forgot a file inside, I have to take it" I began to walk to the door "Thanks Stephen, it was amazing to see you" I said, giving him a smile.